Questions? Talk to Howard directly: 636-497-2680
Medicare made simple

Real Medicare help, from a real person.

Confused by Medicare? You're not alone. I'm Howard, a licensed Medicare advisor who'll walk you through your options in plain English — Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement, and Part D — and help you choose the plan that actually fits your life. No pressure. No 1-800 mazes. Just real answers.

Howard VanBooven, licensed Medicare advisor
My promise

"You'll always speak directly with me — never a call center."

Licensed Medicare Advisor Certified to enroll
Multiple top carriers Independent & unbiased
No cost to you I'm paid by carriers, not you
Year-round support Not just at signup
Your Medicare Options

Three main paths. I'll help you choose.

Medicare can feel like an alphabet soup. Let me break it down. There are three main types of Medicare coverage I help people enroll in — each has trade-offs, and the right one depends on your health, doctors, prescriptions, and budget.

Medicare Supplement (Medigap)

Best for: Predictable costs, freedom of choice

Pairs with Original Medicare (Parts A & B) and helps cover out-of-pocket costs Medicare leaves behind — copays, coinsurance, deductibles. Higher monthly premium but very predictable.

  • Use any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare
  • No network restrictions, no referrals needed
  • Standardized plans (Plan G, Plan N, etc.) by federal law
  • Travel anywhere in the U.S. with consistent coverage
Compare Medigap plans →

Medicare Advantage (Part C)

Best for: Lower monthly costs, extra benefits

An all-in-one alternative to Original Medicare. Often $0 monthly premium, includes prescription coverage, and adds extras like dental, vision, hearing, and gym memberships.

  • Often $0 or low monthly premium
  • Bundled prescription drug coverage included
  • Extra benefits: dental, vision, hearing, fitness
  • Network-based — must use plan's providers
See Medicare Advantage options →

Part D — Prescription Drug Plans

Best for: Pairing with Medigap or Original Medicare

Standalone prescription drug coverage. If you have Original Medicare or a Medigap plan, you'll likely want a Part D plan to cover your medications. I'll help you find the cheapest plan based on the exact drugs you take.

  • Plans tailored to your exact medications
  • Annual review to make sure you're still on the cheapest plan
  • Help with formulary changes & appeals
  • Coordinated with your other Medicare coverage
Find the right Part D plan →

Switching or Reviewing Coverage

Best for: Already on Medicare

Already enrolled and wondering if you have the right plan? Let me run a free annual review during the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 – December 7). You may be able to save money or get better coverage without changing doctors.

  • Free annual plan review during AEP
  • Compare your current plan to alternatives
  • Switch plans if a better option exists
  • Help with paperwork & transitions
Schedule a free review →
Approaching 65

Turning 65? Don't let Medicare overwhelm you.

Your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) is a 7-month window — 3 months before your 65th birthday, the month of, and 3 months after. Mistakes during this window can cost you for life — including permanent late enrollment penalties.

Most people approaching 65 get bombarded with mailers and calls. I'll cut through the noise, walk you through your specific situation, and help you avoid the common (expensive) mistakes.

Call now: 636-497-2680

Your "Turning 65" checklist

  1. Decide if you'll enroll in Part B (vs. delaying via employer coverage)
  2. Choose between Medicare Advantage OR Original Medicare + Medigap
  3. If choosing Medigap, pick a plan letter (G, N, etc.)
  4. Add a Part D prescription plan if you don't have one
  5. Review again every year to stay on the best plan
How it works

Three simple steps. That's it.

No high pressure, no confusing forms, no calls from random numbers afterwards. Just a friendly conversation and clear options.

1

Call or Message Me

Call 636-497-2680 or fill out the short form. We'll set up a friendly call at a time that works for you.

2

We Talk Through Options

I'll review your doctors, medications, and budget — then walk you through the plans that actually fit. No fancy jargon.

3

I Handle Enrollment

Once you choose, I take care of the paperwork. Then I'm your point of contact for the life of the plan — claims, questions, anything.

Howard VanBooven, licensed Medicare advisor
About Howard

I treat my clients like family.

Choosing the right Medicare plan shouldn't feel like a high-pressure sales call.

I started doing Medicare because I watched my own family members get pushed into the wrong plans by agents who didn't take the time to listen. That's not how I work. I sit down with you (in person, on the phone, or by video — your choice), I learn about your doctors, your medications, your budget, and your priorities — and then I show you the options that actually make sense.

I'm independent — I represent multiple top carriers, not just one — so my advice isn't biased by who's paying me the most. I'm paid the same regardless of which plan you choose, so my only goal is finding what's right for you.

My personal guarantee

If you're ever unhappy with your plan, call me. I'll personally help you switch — at no cost — during the next eligible enrollment period.

Common Questions

Things people ask me all the time.

No. My services are completely free to you. I'm paid by the insurance carriers when you enroll — and I get paid the same amount regardless of which carrier or plan you choose. So my only goal is helping you pick the right plan.
Medicare Advantage (Part C) is an "all-in-one" alternative to Original Medicare — often with low or $0 premiums, but you're limited to a network of doctors and hospitals. Medicare Supplement (Medigap) works alongside Original Medicare and helps pay your share of costs — higher monthly premium, but you can use any doctor that accepts Medicare and there are no networks. Each is a great fit for different people. We'll talk through which makes sense for you.
Several windows: Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) — 7 months around your 65th birthday. Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) — October 15 to December 7 each year, when you can switch Medicare Advantage or Part D plans. Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment — January 1 to March 31, limited switching. Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs) — triggered by qualifying events like moving, losing coverage, etc. I'll help you figure out which window applies to you.
It depends on the plan. With Medicare Supplement, you can keep any doctor that accepts Medicare — no network restrictions. With Medicare Advantage, you'll need to make sure your doctor is in the plan's network. Before you commit, I check your specific doctors and hospitals against each plan's network so there are no surprises.
Not necessarily. If you (or your spouse) have qualifying employer coverage at a company with 20+ employees, you may be able to delay enrolling in Part B without a penalty. The rules can be tricky though — call me before your 65th birthday and I'll help you figure out exactly what to do.
Yes — that's a big part of how I work. I'm your point of contact for the life of your plan: questions about claims, billing issues, ID cards, finding a new doctor, even appeals. And every year during the Annual Enrollment Period, I do a free review to make sure you're still on the best plan for your situation.
Get Started

Ready to talk? I am too.

Pick whichever feels easier — call me directly, or send a quick message and I'll reach out.

Prefer to just call?

Calling is honestly the fastest way to get answers. You'll reach me directly — not a call center, not voicemail jail.

Call Howard
636-497-2680
Monday–Friday, 8am–6pm CT
Evening & weekend appointments available by request

Or send me a message

Tell me a little about your situation and I'll call you back at your preferred time.

Thanks — I'll be in touch.

I'll personally call you within one business day. If it's urgent, feel free to call me directly at 636-497-2680.

Not connected with or endorsed by the United States government or the federal Medicare program. This is a solicitation for insurance.

We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent multiple organizations which offer many products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options.

Calling the number on this site will direct you to a licensed insurance agent. Plans are insured or covered by Medicare Advantage organizations and Part D sponsors with Medicare contracts. Enrollment in any plan depends on contract renewal.

Howard VanBooven is a licensed insurance agent. Plan availability and benefits vary by location and may change. For complete details on benefits, exclusions, conditions, and limitations, please contact us or refer to the official plan documents.

Howard
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AI-powered general information only. For specific plan recommendations or enrollment, please call Howard directly at 636-497-2680.